Vikings vs. Lions Pick
Can the Minnesota Vikings take complete control of the NFC North and get past the Detroit Lions when the two meet later today 12:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Minnesota is favored on the road in this game, as the Vikings are getting odds of -3 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 44.5 points. Detroit has won three straight meetings with the Vikings, including a 14-7 win at Minnesota back on Oct. 1. The Lions have covered the spread in all three games as well. The public betting in this one has the Vikings getting 60 percent of the wagers on the road. Today’s game takes place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game will air live on FOX.
Detroit is coming off a 27-24 win at Chicago for its third straight victory to improve to 6-4 on the season. The Lions are 5-4-1 against the spread, failing to cover in all four losses. Detroit is averaging 27.1 points and 356.8 yards per game on offense this season. Their run game is still struggling, posting just 80.8 yards per game. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 2,760 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions, but also has been sacked 33 times. Golden Tate is his top target, as he has 59 catches for 691 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Detroit is allowing 23.4 points and 368.1 yards per game. Their run defense has struggled in recent weeks, allowing over 200 yards in their last two games.
Since the loss to the Lions on Oct. 1, Minnesota has won six straight to get to 8-2 on the season. The Vikings are 7-3 against the spread, covering in five straight games, including last week’s impressive 24-7 win over the Rams. Minnesota remains one of the top defenses in the league, allowing just 17.2 points and 310.6 yards per game. Everson Griffen is leading the unit with 10 sacks and 31 tackles. The Minnesota offense is putting up 24.1 points and 380.9 yards per game thanks to the strong play of Case Keenum. He has thrown for 2,194 yards and 12 touchdowns this season with five interceptions. He has been sacked just five times. Adam Thielen is the leading receiver with 62 catches for 916 yards and three scores.
While the Lions are on a win streak, they are falling behind early and struggling to get past the likes of the Browns and Bears. Minnesota is on a big win streak, but beating much better teams like the Rams and doing so with ease. Given the Lions’ struggles against the run lately, I expect the Minnesota offense to keep rolling right now while the defense locks in against a one-dimension Detroit offense.
NFL WEEK 12 PREDICTION: MINNESOTA VIKINGS -3